PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lincoln Mercury (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobuli Araguli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lincoln Mercury could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Bobuli Araguli's chin.

Mercury
vs
Araguli

187 cm
20
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
20
196 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lincoln Mercury!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bobuli Araguli!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Eliza Hachem and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Araguli throws a nice outside leg kick.

Araguli shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Araguli is looking to advance position but Mercury won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mercury wants to control but Araguli is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Araguli not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mercury regains full guard. Nicely done.
Araguli in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mercury throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Mercury ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Araguli moves away.
Araguli pushes Mercury away with a front kick.
Araguli throws a shot from downtown. Mercury moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Araguli gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Araguli taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Araguli tries to land a knee to the head but Mercury blocks with his arms.
Araguli lands a hook to the side of the head.
Araguli leaning his opponent against the cage.
Knees to the body from Araguli.
Mercury missing with knees to the body.
Mercury tries to score a body lock takedown but Araguli shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Araguli breaks from the clinch.
Mercury with a lazy takedown attempt
and Araguli counters with a body kick.
Araguli scores with a kick to the body.
Mercury shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Araguli counters with a slapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lincoln Mercury. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercury is breathing heavily.

Mercury feints and as Araguli raises his hands in defense, Mercury changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Araguli thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercury slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Araguli wants to sweep here but Mercury controlling him for the moment.
Mercury not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Araguli looking for a sweep. Not yet Araguli, not yet.
Araguli is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mercury postures up in Araguli's guard and throws a big left but Araguli blocks it.
Araguli looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mercury is one step ahead there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mercury with a lazy takedown attempt
and Araguli counters with a nice leg kick.
Araguli throws a nice head kick!
Araguli with a hook.
A solid body kick from Araguli.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Araguli forces Mercury back against the cage and clinches.
Mercury takes an elbow to the temple.
Mercury takes an elbow to the forehead.
Araguli stalling.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Araguli.
Knees in the clinch landing for Araguli.
Mercury tries for a takedown. No joy.

Araguli successfully pulls guard.
Araguli looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mercury is one step ahead there.
Mercury has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mercury controlling from the top position.
Mercury postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mercury passes Araguli's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Mercury is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Araguli keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Mercury looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercury wants to pass the guard but Araguli is defending well.
Araguli regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mercury content to stall in guard here.
Mercury trying to control the position from guard on top but Araguli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobuli Araguli dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Araguli tries to clinch up but Mercury circles away and keeps his distance.
Good leg kick by Araguli there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A chopping leg kick lands by Araguli.

Araguli moves into the clinch.
Araguli lands a knee to the head.
Mercury is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Araguli is keeping busy.
Araguli tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mercury can't break the clinch.
Mercury has had enough of the clinch but Araguli keeps him there for the moment.
Mercury wants a takedown but no success here.

Araguli breaks from the clinch.
Araguli feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mercury's calf.
Araguli throws a head kick that misses.
Mercury fails with the takedown
and Araguli counters with a series of strikes. Mercury will be more careful next time no doubt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercury gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Araguli moves into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lincoln Mercury. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercury is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Araguli gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Mercury jumps guard but Araguli stands there with Mercury around his waist. Mercury gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Araguli escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Araguli throws a head kick but Mercury moves out of range.
Araguli scoring well with a low kick there.

Araguli closes the distance and clinches.
Araguli stalling.
Still in the clinch, Araguli scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mercury drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Araguli connects with a knee to the head.
Araguli controlling the action here for a moment.

Araguli lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercury keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mercury won't allow Araguli to pass to mount.
Mercury is trying to control but Araguli passes into side control!
The ground and pound from Araguli seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Araguli throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Araguli throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Mercury sneaks out the side door and pushes Araguli away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Mercury fails with the takedown
and Araguli counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Mercury is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Mercury misses with a takedown attempt
and Araguli counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Mercury shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Araguli's guard.
Mercury controls from within his opponent's guard.
Mercury pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Araguli is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercury is working hard here to advance position.
Mercury looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Mercury stopping the sweep attempt from Araguli.
Mercury wants to control from the top but Araguli keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Araguli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mercury moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mercury tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Araguli swivels and escapes.

Araguli drives through and clinches with Mercury against the cage.
Araguli unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mercury lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Araguli looking for a takedown.

Mercury breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Araguli does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Mercury shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Araguli as he jumps to the side.
Mercury looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A punch combination from Araguli misses.
Araguli lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Araguli throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercury.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobuli Araguli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Araguli ducks under a wild hook from Mercury.
Nice takedown defense from Araguli. No joy for Mercury on that attempt.
Mercury misses with an uppercut

and Araguli counters by clinching up.
Araguli using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Araguli is pressed up against the cage. Mercury has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Araguli down to the mat. Araguli avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Araguli swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mercury.
Mercury takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Araguli fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mercury.
Mercury with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mercury takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lincoln Mercury. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercury doesn't manage to clinch there - Araguli circles away.
Mercury has his takedown stuffed
and Araguli finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Lincoln Mercury is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Araguli throws a series of punches but Mercury moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercury with a lazy takedown attempt
and Araguli counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mercury misses with a takedown

and Araguli moves into the clinch.
Araguli landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Araguli breaks the clinch.
Araguli scores with a head kick.

Mercury scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Araguli manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Mercury moves into full guard.
Araguli looking to pass the guard.
Mercury looking for a sweep. Not yet Mercury, not yet.
Mercury controls Araguli momentarily but Araguli frees himself.
Araguli trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araguli trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercury is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Araguli won't allow Mercury to sweep him here.
Araguli passes Mercury's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Mercury moves into full guard.
Mercury pulls Araguli in to control the position.
Araguli trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercury is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Araguli throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mercury works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Araguli postures up in Mercury's guard and throws a big left but Mercury blocks it.
Mercury is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mercury keeping moving, preventing Araguli from controlling successfully.
Mercury tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A chopping leg kick lands by Araguli.
Mercury is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Mercury fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mercury misses with a takedown attempt

and Araguli counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mercury won't be happy with that.
Mercury wants to control but Araguli postures up.
Mercury tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Araguli wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Araguli.
Araguli tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Araguli advances to mount.
Araguli lands a nice shot to the head.
Araguli throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Araguli lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Mercury is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Araguli.
Mercury working to try and regain half guard.
Araguli sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Mercury is squirming around, avoiding Araguli's attempts to control the action.
Araguli throwing strikes here but Mercury is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Araguli avoids the attempt from Mercury to control.
Mercury is desperately trying to improve his position but Araguli has a good base and remains in mount.
Araguli punching from mount but Mercury doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Araguli prevents Mercury from getting the reversal.
Mercury tries to lock up and control but Araguli gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Lincoln Mercury has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Araguli jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Mercury is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Mercury and Araguli has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Mercury is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Araguli's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bobuli Araguli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Araguli winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bobuli Araguli!